Solar canopy with integral storage compartment to receive high capacity batteries

Abstract

The technology of the present application provides a solar canopy having a cavity. The cavity defines at least one space that is sized and shaped to receive a high capacity battery, of which electric vehicle batteries are one example. The cavity includes an opening to allow access to the space. Contacts are arranged in the cavity to align with contacts of a battery inserted into the space to electrically couple the battery to the power electronics or power conditioner, which includes a power conversion system, and inverter, and a converter or transformer. The cavity also includes a heat dissipation system.

We claim: 
     
       1. A canopy, comprising:
 a roof; 
 at least one support having a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal portion wherein the roof is coupled to and supported by the at least one support; 
 a power conditioner operatively coupled to the canopy, wherein the power conditioner is configured for electrical connection to a power network; and 
 a cavity coupled to the canopy wherein the cavity defines at least one space, wherein each of the at least one space is sized to receive a high capacity battery, the cavity comprising:
 at least one opening operatively sized to allow the high capacity battery to be moved into and out of the cavity; 
 at least one battery connector comprising at least one set of contacts operative to electrically couple the high capacity battery to the power conditioner; and 
 at least one heat dissipation system, wherein the at least one heat dissipation system facilitates movement of air through the at least one space. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the canopy is a solar canopy further comprising a plurality of photovoltaic panels coupled to the roof of the solar canopy and, wherein, the power conditioner is electrically coupled to the plurality of photovoltaic panels. 
     
     
       3. The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the power conditioner comprises a power conversion system and a transformer. 
     
     
       4. The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity further comprises at least one vent to facilitate the flow of air by the at least one heat dissipation system. 
     
     
       5. The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity has a height of no more than about 30 centimeters. 
     
     
       6. The canopy of  claim 5 , wherein the cavity has a height of no more than about 15 centimeters. 
     
     
       7. The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity is integral with the roof of the solar canopy. 
     
     
       8. The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity is integral with the at least one support. 
     
     
       9. The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity is removably coupled to the roof of the solar canopy. 
     
     
       10. The canopy of  claim 9 , wherein the roof comprises at least one rail and the cavity comprises at least one flanged surface sized to operatively couple with the at least one rail such that the cavity slides along the rail. 
     
     
       11. The canopy of  claim 10 , wherein the power conditioner is incorporated into the cavity. 
     
     
       12. The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the power conditioner comprises a standalone inverter box and the cavity is removably coupled to the standalone inverter box. 
     
     
       13. The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the power conditioner comprises a rack and the cavity is removably coupled to the rack. 
     
     
       14. The canopy of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity comprises a plurality of chambers and each of the plurality of chambers is operatively sized to hold a single high capacity battery. 
     
     
       15. The canopy of  claim 7 , wherein the cavity comprises a vertical component in the support and a horizontal component in the support. 
     
     
       16. A solar canopy, comprising:
 a roof having a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side; 
 at least one support having a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal portion wherein the roof is coupled to and supported by the at least one support; 
 a plurality of photovoltaic panels coupled to the top side of the roof of the solar canopy; 
 a power conditioner electrically coupled to the plurality of photovoltaic panels, the power conditioner configured to be electrically coupled to a power network; 
 a pair of rails coupled to the bottom side of the roof, wherein each of the pair of rails extend in a downwardly direction forming at least a first wall; and 
 a retrofit compartment removably coupled to the solar canopy wherein a cavity defines at least one space, wherein each of the at least one space is sized to receive a battery, the retrofit compartment comprising:
 at least one opening operatively sized to allow the battery to be moved into and out of the retrofit compartment; 
 at least one battery connector comprising at least one set of contacts operative to electrically couple the battery to the power conditioner; 
 at least one vent in the retrofit compartment; 
 at least one heat dissipation system, wherein the at least one heat dissipation system facilitates movement of air through the at least one space and out the vent; and 
 a pair of extended flanges protruding from the retrofit compartment operatively sized to engage the pair of rails, wherein the pair of rails and extended flange form a tongue and groove slide fitting. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The solar canopy of  claim 16 , wherein the retrofit compartment comprises a heat dissipation system. 
     
     
       18. The solar canopy of  claim 17 , wherein the heat dissipation system comprises at least one fan and at least one intake and exhaust. 
     
     
       19. The solar canopy of  claim 16 , wherein the power conditioner comprises a power conversion system to control the charge and discharge of any battery stored in the retrofit compartment. 
     
     
       20. The solar canopy of  claim 16 , wherein the retrofit compartment comprises a plurality of chambers sized to receive a battery. 
     
     
       21. The solar canopy of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of chambers have a length, width, and height and wherein the height is less than 30 centimeters. 
     
     
       22. The solar canopy of  claim 21 , wherein the height is less than 20 centimeters. 
     
     
       23. A solar power canopy connectable with an external load, comprising:
 a solar canopy, a roof, and at least one support holding the roof above a ground space; 
 a plurality of photovoltaic panels coupled to the top side of the roof of the solar canopy; 
 a plurality of canopy mounted inter-connectable elements, wherein the plurality of canopy mounted inter-connectable elements comprise:
 at least one high capacity battery configured to store a minimum of 10 kilo watt hours, the at least one high capacity battery removably, mechanically coupled to the solar canopy; 
 at least one power conditioner removably, electrically coupled to the plurality of photovoltaic panels, the at least one high capacity battery, and the external load; and 
 a heat dissipation system wherein the heat dissipation system comprises a forced fluid circulation system. 
 
 
     
     
       24. The solar power canopy of  claim 23  wherein the external load is a utility power network. 
     
     
       25. The solar power canopy of  claim 23  wherein the at least one high capacity battery is configured to store a minimum of 100 kilo watt hours. 
     
     
       26. The solar power canopy of  claim 23  wherein the at least one high capacity battery is configured to store between 100 kilo watt hours and 200 kilo watt hours. 
     
     
       27. The solar power canopy of  claim 23  wherein the forced fluid circulation system comprises an air conditioner. 
     
     
       28. The solar power canopy of  claim 27  wherein the forced fluid circulation system comprises a vent and the air conditioner is in fluid communication with the vent, an air conditioner intake, and an air conditioner exhaust. 
     
     
       29. The solar power canopy of  claim 23  wherein the air conditioner recirculates coolant air. 
     
     
       30. The solar power canopy of  claim 23  wherein the forced fluid circulation system comprises at least one cold plate in fluid communication with a coolant source. 
     
     
       31. The solar power canopy of  claim 30  wherein the forced fluid circulation system comprises a coolant loop and a refrigerant loop. 
     
     
       32. The solar power canopy of  claim 23  wherein the plurality of canopy mounted inter-connectable elements are contained in a compartment mechanically, releasably coupled to the solar power canopy. 
     
     
       33. The solar power canopy of  claim 32  wherein the compartment is configured to receive a plurality of high capacity batteries and a plurality of power conditioners. 
     
     
       34. The solar power canopy of  claim 33  wherein each of the plurality of high capacity batteries is removable from the compartment. 
     
     
       35. The solar power canopy of  claim 33  wherein each of the power conditioners is removable from the compartment. 
     
     
       36. The solar power canopy of  claim 23  wherein the at least one power conditioner is removably, mechanically coupled to the solar power canopy.